I’ve always dreamed of becoming a published author and being interviewed. How about you come into my living room? Grab your favorite beverage, a cozy plaid blanket (because you know with me…it’s ALL about the plaid), and let’s chat!

Tell us how you started writing.

My love of writing began with reading Nancy Drew as a girl, but even though I continued to read, the writing spark faded, and life happened. I started working, got married, and eventually moved to a different city. I didn’t have time to write…or at least, I didn’t think I had the gift, so I put it out of my mind. 

Years flew by, and then the unspeakable happened. I went through some rough times and through my journey, I decided to take a creative writing course. This triggered the idea for the very first book I wrote. That’s when my love of writing re-surfaced and grew. So, God does use ALL circumstances in life to grow us, right?

Let’s talk about K-9 Ranch Protection. Which LIS book is this?

It’s my eleventh Love Inspired Suspense book and the sixth (and final) book in the Crisis Rescue Team series. I’m feeling very blessed.

What research was required for your book?

Lots of fun stuff! First…my heroine, Constable Isabelle Tremblay, has something called “hyperthymesia” and that is an ability for someone to remember almost every event of their life in great detail. Izzy has used this “gift” in her police work, but at the beginning of the book something happens, and she’s lost a 3-hour window of time. This totally frustrates her.

I had fun researching different dogs for my K-9 ranch. The “star” of the book is an Alaskan Malamute and she is modelled after a childhood friend’s malamute. Plus, my friend even let me use her name—Névé which means “snow” in Latin. These dogs are so smart!

I also researched electric fences, ciphers (loved writing in that Nancy Drew angle), towns in British Columbia to model my “fictional” town after, etc. 

What does a day in the life of your characters look like?

That depends. Before or after chapter one opens? (insert laugh here) Izzy prides herself on being the best cop she can be, but after her father dies from a supposed accident, she’s positive he was murdered. So, she sets out to prove it. Her day ends with a cyber-attack at her police station and a clear warning for her to back off or die. I don’t want to give anything else away, so let’s just say, Izzy’s upcoming days are filled with lots of action and danger!

K-9 handler Austin Murray retired from the police force after something went terribly wrong on a call with his partner, Izzy. When he finds out she’s in trouble, he offers her protection at his ranch. You’ll meet his dogs including Névé, Goose, Thor, Wolf, Penny, Hunter, and more!

What was the inspiration behind your story?

My childhood friend kept joking with me about including a malamute in a book since I’ve used other dogs previously. That got me thinking about a storyline, and I thought what better place to include a malamute but on a ranch set in the Rocky Mountains in the winter time! That’s how it all began. I like to create strong heroines and after watching the show Unforgettable, I came up with the idea of my police officer having hyperthymesia but with a twist. And who doesn’t like a hunky rancher/k-9 handler?

What encouragement do you hope readers will take away from your story?

My books always include some type of forgiveness angle. My characters have had past hurts they need to deal with. Izzy has to learn to forgive Austin for a mistake he made, and Austin has to learn to forgive himself. They also wrestle with trusting that God is in control of their life’s journey even though they can’t see His path. This is something we all can relate to, can’t we? I’m so thankful He’s the one in control.

The verse I chose for this story is Proverbs 16:9 – A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. (KJV)

What is something interesting readers would enjoy learning about you?

I try to always include some type of plaid in my books. The only one that doesn’t is my first—Border Breach. I’ve been dubbed “The Plaid Queen” because of my love of everything plaid. I have over 30 plaid shirts, two dresses, four coats, and a few purses. What you may not know is the story behind the plaid. My brother, Murray, loved blue plaid. He passed away a few years ago from bone marrow cancer. One day my sister and I were shopping, and we bought matching plaid shirts in Murray’s memory. After that, I started “Plaid Fridays” at work in memory of him and added more shirts (and more!) to my closet. 

Another fun thing about me is I love to tole paint. This is painting designs on wood surfaces. It’s fun and relaxes me. Unfortunately, I don’t have as much time to paint as I would like! I also love to watch movies and read.

What are you working on next?

My first ever trade book (published through Love Inspired Trade) is currently with my editor. It’s called Echoes of Darkness and releases in June of 2025. I’m so excited about this story, but it’s a bit grittier (okay more than a bit) than my LIS books.

I also just passed in book one of a brand new LIS series. This is a six-book series centering around the Hoyt family. You met Jayla and Dekker in Alaskan Avalanche Escape and Hazel in Mountain Abduction Rescue. Book 1 in the new series is Dekker’s story. I’m loving writing these stories. You’ll meet new Hoyt siblings, and previous ones will make appearances!

I’ve also collaborated with three amazing Canadian authors on a Christmas Anthology called I’ll Be Home. Each story centers around going home and has a train in there somewhere. My story is called Mystery and Mayhem in the Rockies. It’s my first cozy mystery and has a Hallmarky (is that a word?) vibe to it.